Post by CC on Aug 29, 2009 10:14:01 GMT -5
Fired community corrections chief sues county
St. Joseph County’s former community corrections director, fired after being charged with and acquitted of receiving stolen property, has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the county.
On June 23, 2008, county prosecutors charged her and her husband, Michael Hancock, with selling musical instruments on eBay after they had been stolen from his employer, Conn-Selmer Inc.. an Elkhart-based instrument maker. Commissioners suspended her without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.
A jury in May convicted Hancock’s husband but acquitted her.
In June, the Community Corrections Advisory Board voted 11 to 6 to keep Hancock on the job, but commissioners, who have the final say, decided July 14 to let her go, citing lack of confidence in her ability to resume leadership of the department.
Hancock’s lawsuit alleges that her contract only allowed her to be fired "for cause."
Her suit adds an allegation that the county gives more favorable treatment to Democrat employees who have been, or could have been, charged with crimes.
At least two Democrats have been accused of ghost employment and one also has been charged with operating while intoxicated, but neither have been suspended, denied pay, or had their jobs threatened, the suit claims.
The suit does not name the individuals, and Hancock declined to name them when contacted at her Mishawaka home Monday by The Tribune.
The commissioners, Democrats Bob Kovach and Dave Thomas, and Republican Andy Kostielney, voted unanimously to fire Hancock, despite her acquittal.
"I just felt her ability to perform the functions ... I don’t have confidence in them," Thomas told The Tribune on Monday. "For legal reasons, I cannot elaborate."
Hancock’s suit seeks reinstatement to her job, lost wages and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees.
Hancock said that although she is eager to comment publicly about the case, her Indianapolis attorney, Christopher S. Wolcott, had advised her against doing so while litigation is pending.
"I’ll make my statement after all of this is over," Hancock told The Tribune.
St. Joseph County’s former community corrections director, fired after being charged with and acquitted of receiving stolen property, has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the county.
On June 23, 2008, county prosecutors charged her and her husband, Michael Hancock, with selling musical instruments on eBay after they had been stolen from his employer, Conn-Selmer Inc.. an Elkhart-based instrument maker. Commissioners suspended her without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.
A jury in May convicted Hancock’s husband but acquitted her.
In June, the Community Corrections Advisory Board voted 11 to 6 to keep Hancock on the job, but commissioners, who have the final say, decided July 14 to let her go, citing lack of confidence in her ability to resume leadership of the department.
Hancock’s lawsuit alleges that her contract only allowed her to be fired "for cause."
Her suit adds an allegation that the county gives more favorable treatment to Democrat employees who have been, or could have been, charged with crimes.
At least two Democrats have been accused of ghost employment and one also has been charged with operating while intoxicated, but neither have been suspended, denied pay, or had their jobs threatened, the suit claims.
The suit does not name the individuals, and Hancock declined to name them when contacted at her Mishawaka home Monday by The Tribune.
The commissioners, Democrats Bob Kovach and Dave Thomas, and Republican Andy Kostielney, voted unanimously to fire Hancock, despite her acquittal.
"I just felt her ability to perform the functions ... I don’t have confidence in them," Thomas told The Tribune on Monday. "For legal reasons, I cannot elaborate."
Hancock’s suit seeks reinstatement to her job, lost wages and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees.
Hancock said that although she is eager to comment publicly about the case, her Indianapolis attorney, Christopher S. Wolcott, had advised her against doing so while litigation is pending.
"I’ll make my statement after all of this is over," Hancock told The Tribune.